Austinites take their coffee very seriously, and there are many espresso shops vying for their business. East Austin’s Vintage Heart Café has built up a loyal clientele who rave about every drink that comes from their baristas’ talented hands.

Using coffee beans sourced from local roaster Third Coast, they produce exceptional lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos at reasonable prices. One of the first things you’ll notice when you walk in the door is the décor – it’s classy and minimal without sacrificing comfort, and regulars hunker down for hours to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and soft couches. They also play music at a very manageable volume. Whether you’re just stopping in for a quick drink or plan to make a day of it, the staff here is helpful and welcoming.

Vintage Heart Café
1405 E. 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-0583
www.vintageheartcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vintage-heart-coffee-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/olfiika

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

One of East Austin’s most talked about new restaurants, Qui is the eponymous restaurant opened by Top Chef winner Paul Qui after he made his place at Uchiko, and the food here is as good as it gets. Moving away from the traditional sushi preparations that made him famous, Qui explores the world of fine dining with exceptional results.

The menu here changes daily depending on the availability of ingredients, so it’s hard to recommend a particular dish. Past standouts have included an unbelievable chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard, the dish that won Qui the title of Top Chef), rabbit seven ways and a poached salmon butter that has to be tasted to be believed. For dessert, go for the unique cheddar cheese ice cream sandwich, a sweet and savory delight. Note that they don’t take reservations.

Qui
1600 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 436-9626
www.quiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/qui-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jules Morgan